Bottas focused on winning final two races after Hamilton title

Valtteri Bottas says he is determined to win the final two races of the season after Mercedes Formula 1 teammate Lewis Hamilton sealed the 2018 world championship in Mexico.

A fourth-place finish for Hamilton was enough for the Briton to clinch his fifth world title in the Mexican Grand Prix with two races to spare, after Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel finished second on a weekend he needed to win.

Bottas, who finished one lap down on race-winner Max Verstappen in fifth as Mercedes struggled for pace in Mexico City, said he has a clear goal of trying to end his winless run in 2018 following Hamilton’s triumph.

“Here, if I had been quick enough there would have been a possibility but we were not quick enough,” Bottas admitted.

“There are now two races go and you know what my goal will be.”

The Finn had been forced to play a supporting role in recent races in order to boost Hamilton’s championship bid and was asked to move aside for his teammate in Sochi.

Bottas is hoping to replicate a similar end to the season as he did after Hamilton wrapped up the title in 2017, as he headed into the winter off the back of two pole positions and a victory in the Abu Dhabi finale.

“I think it does make a difference [to end the year on a high],” Bottas said. “Sometimes the season ends in a disappointment, sometimes in joy, and I think the initial part of the winter can be different.

“But in the end, all you’re thinking about is the next season, as you’re busy preparing for the new season, working with the team and all of that.

“It’s kind of nice to have that confidence boost from ending up in good form, but even if you wouldn’t, you can always remind yourself of other races from the season, showing you haven’t lost any of your skills.

“I want to finish the season well, but it’s not everything.”

Asked if he is hoping to pull off a similar run at the end of the year to Nico Rosberg – who went into his title-winning 2016 campaign off the back of three straight wins – Bottas replied:

“Well like always I target to win races but obviously this season has been completely different and I think the main thing for me, I haven’t won a race this year so let’s get one first of all then we see.

“I am not really thinking about those kind of statistics in the past. I am just looking ahead and trying to get good results.”

Reflecting on Hamilton’s achievements this season, Bottas said: “For sure he’s had another great season.

“He’s been strong all year, especially in the second half, and he hasn’t really had many setbacks this year, so he got a big amount of points and well done to him for the title; he really deserves it.”